New Jersey triplets receive Eagle Scout Award — together, of course

I’ll give you three good reasons to be excited about the future of Scouting.

Their names are Nicholas, Anthony and Justin Neves.

In January, this set of triplets from Troop 46 of Montgomery Township, N.J., received the Eagle Scout Award. They lived Scouting’s adventure together, so there was never a question of whether they’d earn Scouting’s highest honor at a joint court of honor.

That’s Nicholas, Anthony and Justin — left to right — in the picture above with their mom, Antoinette, and dad, Norberto.

The boys have a lot in common, but each took separate paths to the Eagle Scout Award. Here’s a look at each of these remarkable Eagle Scouts.

Nicholas Manuel Neves

Education

  • Graduate of Montgomery High School and is attending Delaware Valley University where he studies landscape building and design and has hopes to minor in business.
  • Intends to gain knowledge in business, with the goal of starting his own landscape-construction company alongside his brother — something Nick has dreamed about since he was a kid.

Non-Scouting achievements

  • Construction team leader for Cougar Robotics team, and received numerous accolades including the Technology Award and the Citizenship Appreciation Award.
  • Varsity track runner and a varsity cross-country runner where he flourished in the long-distance events. (He can run a mile in just over 5 minutes.)

Scouting achievements

  • Held leadership positions including quartermaster, troop guide and den chief.
  • Completed a 50-mile trek at Philmont and a 10-day expedition to the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Eagle project

Nick constructed a raised, 24-foot boardwalk, using all-weather wood and hardware. The area was in need of such construction after frequent flooding events. Now visitors have uninterrupted access to the open space in any weather.

What he said

Growing up, Nick was always hanging around his father. One big lesson Nick learned was this: “If you’re not going to do it the right way, then it’s not worth doing it at all.”

Favorite Scouting memories

Sitting around the campfire with friends and doing the Bows and Barrels trek at the Summit.

Anthony Norberto Neves

Education

  • Graduate of Montgomery High School and is attending Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in business administration, with a concentration in finance.
  • Intends to pursue a career in asset management or sports business.

Non-Scouting achievements

  • Has received the Citizenship Recognition Award, Educational Excellence Award, AP Scholar Award, and physics and English academic awards.
  • Served as editor of the yearbook, vice president of the Student Dynamics Club and was a delegate to the 69th Session of American Legion Jersey Boys State.

Scouting achievements

  • Held leadership positions including senior patrol leader, patrol leader, assistant patrol leader and scribe.
  • Participated in high-adventure trips at Philmont and the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Eagle project

Anthony’s project involved renovations to the MHS Skybox classroom, which is a set of combined classrooms providing special education students with a bird’s-eye view of what success looks like in high school and beyond. Anthony’s project included the construction of a bathroom countertop and cabinet, two hook rails, and a new computer table, with the goal of improving the everyday functions of the students and teachers.

What he said

“Philmont taught me a lot. I learned the best way to help others is by giving them encouragement and the most effective leaders are those who persevere with a positive attitude when faced with challenges. I use this knowledge each and every day in my life.”

Favorite Scouting memories

Going to Philmont with his troop in 2012 and also leading his troop as senior patrol leader for a year.

Justin Richard Neves

Education

  • Graduate of Montgomery High School and is studying civil engineering technology at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
  • Plans to work as a civil engineer and eventually gain enough experience to earn his professional engineer’s license. Then he wants to start his own construction company alongside his brother.

Non-Scouting achievements

  • Member of the Cougar Robotics team, earning a varsity letter both his junior and senior year. Held leadership positions including robot manager and captain of the electrical team.
  • Member of the track and field team, where he excelled in javelin, earning his first varsity letter as a sophomore. Later finished in top 10 at state meets.

Scouting achievements

  • Held leadership positions including assistant senior patrol leader, troop historian, den chief and librarian.
  • Engaged in a 10-day inaugural adventure for Troop 46 at the newest high-adventure base: the Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Eagle project

Justin renovated the courtyard outside the faculty lounge of high school. This included removing pre-existing foliage and ground cover and installing a patio. He built two picnic tables and planted  shrubs

What he said

Justin has followed this quote and applies it throughout his daily life: “Nobody said that it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.”

Favorite Scouting memory

Going to Camp Yawgoog in Rhode Island with his troop and hanging out with his friends in the huge forest of hammocks.


Thanks to John Erskine, district director in the Washington Crossing Council, for the tip.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.